Ruud van Nistelrooy has paid a glowing tribute to Thierry Henry as the Premiership's deadliest sharp-shooters get ready for a shoot-out at Old Trafford.

Discussion of any meeting between Manchester United and Arsenal involves a comparison between the Red Devils' Dutch master and Highbury's flying Frenchman.

Though widely different in style, the pair have come to symbolise the wealth of talent on offer in the English game.

Chelsea may have the star names, but in van Nistelrooy and Henry, United and Arsenal have the true stars, proven performers with the goals and medals to match.

And, while feisty personal duels will litter today's white-hot encounter, who emerges victorious from the striking head-to-head will almost certainly determine the destination of the points.

Which is why van Nistelrooy is warning his United team-mates to be on their guard.

"Thierry Henry is one of the best, not just in England, not just in Europe, but in the whole world," claimed the former PSV striker.

"People compare us as strikers and goalscorers but we are very different in our approach to the game.

"Thierry has speed, vision and technique. Everyone knows about his pace and it's something we have to be aware of.

"We have handled him well over the past few games but he is a great player and we will have to be at our very best to stop him again."

Though van Nistelrooy is largely correct in his assertion that United's defence have managed to subdue Henry in recent meetings, the Frenchman was responsible for both the Gunners' goals in the 2-2 draw at Highbury last April.

The second in particular continues to trouble Sir Alex Ferguson, who is convinced Henry was offside when he back-flicked Ashley Cole's mis-hit shot past Fabien Barthez.

Van Nistelrooy was also on target that night, opening the scoring with a brilliant goal before Campbell was controversially sent off.

The England defender's participation today is in doubt following the death of his father earlier this week.

Though Campbell's absence would be a serious blow to the Gunners' hopes as they look to recover from their midweek Champions League humiliation by Inter Milan, van Nistelrooy refused to discuss the overall significance after Campbell's loss.

"What is the point talking about football when something like that happens, it's irrelevant," said the 28-year-old. "All I can say is that we are thinking about him and wish him all the best."

If Campbell decides not to make the trip North, it would leave Ferguson with the dilemma of whether to adopt a more attacking approach or pack his midfield in an effort to swarm Arsenal's other world-class talent, captain Patrick Vieira.

Much may depend on the fitness of Nicky Butt, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Roy Keane, although it is hard to imagine Ferguson leaving his captain out of such an important match, even if the Irishman's sore ankle means he is well short of 100 per cent fitness.

With 44 goals last season and four already this, van Nistelrooy has proved he enjoys his role as lone striker, with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Solskjaer among those who have been asked to provide support from deeper positions.

Like United with Henry, Arsenal's defence will have targeted the Red Devils' top scorer as the man they have to stop. However, as he has proved so often in the past, knowing how to stop van Nistelrooy and doing so are two different things.

"It doesn't matter if I score in 10 games on the trot or miss out for a few, I will not change my approach," he said.

"I will keep fighting for my chances and focussing on what I am doing, rather than who we are playing.

"Everyone knows what a big game this is and Arsenal will be hard to beat despite their loss on Wednesday.

"People talk about what effect that may have on them, or whether they will want revenge because we won the league last season, but I don't think it matters once you get onto the pitch.

"All you are concentrating on is winning that one game, what has happened in the past is of no meaning then."